Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria had earlier exuded confidence that he would beat Deputy President William Ruto in the 2022 Presidential election but the latest sentiments by leaders from his Mt. Kenya backyard will have him restrategize if he is to amass half of Ruto’s votes.
Speaking during an interview on Jeff Koinange’s JKL, the legislator reiterated that he had what it takes to beat the DP who will be aiming to take over from President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“He (Ruto) will be a very strong second to me…vote for vote I will (beat him),” he said.
At the burial of Jennifer Njuki, the mother of Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki, leaders publicly differed on the direction they should take with some directly withholding support for the DP, some offering it and yet others backing rival tickets.
It was Kuria who stirred the hornet nest by pitching for his own candidacy. Governors Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga) and Ferdinand Waititu (Kiambu) roundly dismissed him while Kiraitu Murungi (Meru) insisted on a better deal for Meru people wherever it will come from.
Waiguru was the first to hit out at Kuria, saying that he was not an option in 2022 politics. She said they will stand with Ruto as was expected of the region.
“In our language, we say a wise person does not need to be told a lot of things,” she said.
Waititu also disowned Kuria, saying though he was from Kiambu, the MP had no capacity to steer the nation.
“There is no confusion at all with the direction we are heading as a community in Kiambu County. We are just waiting for the time to support Ruto,” he said.
Waititu said he was sure that the Deputy President would triumph in 2022. “We trust you and we don’t want to be confused by any other issues,” he said.
Kiraitu said the people of Meru will be voting wisely in future after scrutinising all the contestants to know those who had their best interests.
“The one who is benefiting the people of Meru will be the one we will be supporting,” he said.
But the Deputy President steered clear of the debate, only saying Kenyans should support leaders who were development-oriented as opposed to those who were up for their own interests.